The day has arrived, I finally ordered a lathe.

[Time2]

I looked back, I first Mentioned I wanted one in Oct, 2020, then again in Dec, 2020, Santa didn't bring it!
Another mention in 21 and two mentions in 22, two more in 23, two in 25 and one in 26. You people just can't take a hint! It is a BTD treat. Now, I should have did it 6 years ago.

 

[braumeister]

How soon can we start sending you orders for things we want you to make with it?

 

[wmackey]

What are planning on making?

 

[Koolau]

That's a metal lathe, isn't it? What will you be turning on it if I may ask?

 

[Palmtree]

Congrats. I'm sure you're going to enjoy milling lots of fun projects with that beast.

 

[jazz4cash]

Is it AI enabled?

 

[PlayinwithFIRE]

A serious tool

Enjoy !

 

[Route246]

Are you a machinist or do you just play one on TV?

 

[HarveyS]

Ohhhhh, I thought you meant Latte.

 

[Ronstar]

Sweet!

 

[Time2]

What finally triggered the purchase is an electronic project. I want to convert a 50Ω system to 75ΩΩ. That can be done with a 1/4 wave impedance transformer, which is a short length of coax. I'm building the coax with a copper tube with a 0.450" ID and a copper wire with a 0.162" OD, an important ratio. Also the length is critical.
I'm not a machinist, but I did take machine shop in a high school that was outfitted with a wonderfully equipped machine shop, everything you would expect in a commercial machine shop. (yes, 53 yrs ago Then I had several jobs, mostly electronic related where we had a lathe or more as ancillary equipment for making some parts.
AI enabled, nope I didn't even spring for the DRO (Digital Readout), Even though it was a BTD situation I didn't feel the extra cost of a DRO was worth it. I doubt I will ever get $3500 worth of work out of it, however when you need a certain tool, you need it. I have tried turning an item on my milling machine with limited success. (A vise is a poor tool holder)
Here's a picture of my milling machine. Oh, I have a drill press too!
And last, 'Not for Hire!'

 

[Flyfish1]

Wow - enjoy. I inherited my Father's wood lathe but have yet to build a stand for it. Occupied with other projects.

 

[stepford]

I hope the coax you need is short. Machining a long skinny piece of soft metal with high precision can be challenging.

 

[street]

Very Nice!!!
I also had a wood lathe and spend many hours in the winter months turning out projects. I still have the spindles I turned on things I made in our home as of today.

 

[Time2]

I hope the coax you need is short. Machining a long skinny piece of soft metal with high precision can be challenging.

My wire is already the right diameter, I only need to drill a 0.04" short hole in the end and put a tiny chamfer on it. There will be some iterations on the length, so, machine it, assemble, test, disassemble, trim lengths, recut the hole and chamfer reassemble and repeat until it tests properly. I have built one and trimmed about 6 times until I found I had physical problems with my connectors that caused electrical problems. The lathe will help build parts to avoid those problems